Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-07-22
ter of his hired help. II bugs get at the


potatoes on holiday, or VIII lie a camp
meeting IS in progress, all the negroes
will have their spree regardless of the
consequences. This sort of work will
not answer in growing potatoes, as
prompt action is the most important
point in fighting potato bugs.
MISSED SEEDING OF GRAIN.
1t often happens that strips of land
through grain fields are accdently left
unseeded, and the mistake is not dis
covered until the grain is above the
surface. In most cases little is gained
by trying to seed after the main crop
is above the suface, especially with
spring grain, which natures so quickly
after sowing. Tho entire width of
drill for short space will at harvest
time scarcely be noticed, as the grain
on either side will spread so that the
tops nearly cover the vacant space
Usually if the stoppage has been from
the grain Civ Nc out, some tubes will
run most of the way across the field,
and these will help to fill up, often sug-
costing that far less seed is required
for good crop than is generally sup
posed. A failure of grass or clover
seeding is really worse evil than the
loss of strip of grain, and if there
are many bad faults in the grass seed
ing. it were better to pillow all up and
try it again. For where Clover and
grass fail to catch the vacancies will
certainly be filed with weeds.
cows THIN IN FLESH
There are many disadvantages in
allowing cows to become poor towards
Spring, as they are sure to do if MIXED
all Winter and not gwen an abundance
of nourishng food. The thin cow
has no reserve of fat to be worked
down during the Summer. and with
the best feeding will not give so much
nor so rich milk as one equally good
in other respects that begins the M IL
ing season in fair flesh, But the pow
erty of the COW at tbs season works a
disadvantage not often thought Of
She cannot be got IN heat early enough
to drop her calf at the best time next
season. During May and June. when
grass is most abundant and suoculent,
many good cows will not come in heat
because their food is too stimulating of
milk production, without being espe-
cially nourishing, If the cow is left
to her own course she will probably
be got with calf in July or August.
A few messes of grain feed, especially
oats or rye meal. VIII bring her in
heat now, aud having calf month
earlier add several dollars to the value
of COW next Spring.
UNDERDRAINs VS.. SEWERS.
The city sewer differs from the farm
underdrain in being an impenetrable
conduit for water and filth, instead Of
also absorbing water from the soil
through which it passes. In most cases
a thorough-made underdrain will serve
a better purpose in removing sewage
than one made with no reference to
draining. Where the surplus water
from large area is to be removed, the
expense should be borne equ lably by
those owing the lands benefited there
by, and it is on this account that the
pipe is made tight. so that water from
other sources than those desired cannot
| get in. But in ordinary draining
| from a cellar, or from one wet place to
an outlet. it is great mistake to try
keep on: water. Almost always the
drain is larger than it need be. and if
! the Joints are not made watertig CHIT it
will drain all the land for a rod or two
on either side through wien it passes.
1t is probable that some water gets into
the closest drains where the pipes are
joined but it is better if the joints are
purposely left little loose so that
water may come in freely. If the fall
is uniform and the outlet kept clear
there is no danger that the drain will
leak water into the land to its injury.
instead of carrying it of. When soil
holds water in excess, more cannot be
/ forced into il from stream free to run
through it. 49, american CuHiUat0r.